Tested by the Night (31 page)

To a man, every single soldier stopped.

Duke Algen Daggertoss roared. “Do as I command. Get me that spear.”

Mia peeked around Talon, her heart pounding, but all she could see were the solders standing a few feet away, not moving even a single inch, waiting for Talon’s next command.

She let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

Talon didn’t say another word to the soldiers. Instead, he addressed the Duke. “Do you really expect men under the direct orders of King Adan Hammerstrike to forcibly remove something, anything, from his daughter, Princess Mia’s possession? Their future queen? I know most of these men personally. They aren’t stupid. They’re honorable and loyal. If you really think
you
can come take that spear, then you’ll have to come through me to do it.”

“And me,” Cousin Wally added.

“And me,” Pierced joined in.

Uncle Leeky wasn’t quite that easy going about the matter, however. He walked to stand between Talon, the barbarian solders, and the duke.

Mia almost laughed as the little gnome shook his fist in the air, the top of his almost bald head glowing a deep red. “I’ll show ya get it for me. What the toenail fungus hidden in the tap dancing shoes of a high-elf harlot on free drink night do ya mean ordering Mia’s own men ta get the spear for ya.” He pumped his fist again. “I’ll give ya something. VoT ya. Ya bet I will.”

He headed toward the duke, but Talon quickly scooped him up and shook his head. “Now is not the time, my friend.”

Leeky wiggled frantically, trying to free himself. “If not now, ya daft barbarian, then when?”

Mia marveled at the tenderness in Talon’s voice. “Soon, my friend, I promise. But not this day.”

Leeky looked perplexed for a moment, then nodded and quit struggling. Talon placed him back on his feet.

Duke Algen Daggertoss didn’t seem to even take notice of the conversation. He was too busy staring straight at Mia and the spear she still clutched tightly in her hand.

His entire demeanor suddenly changed. Gone was all the anger, all the weird craziness, and in its place was an almost benevolent smile. “Perhaps it’s best you do retain possession of the spear. At least, for now, my dear.” He chuckled. “The council had time to consider your next quest while you were gone, and low and behold, we’ve come to a decision.”

He chuckled again, and Mia’s stomach did a weird flip-flop thingy. If there was one thing she’d learned during this entire quest process, it was Duke Algen Daggertoss anger was irritating but manageable while his smiling and friendly was downright scary.

She gulped, and her heart skipped a beat before resuming the race it seemed to desperately want to run. Her breath caught in her chest, and the room around her started to spin. But then Talon slipped his hand into hers and the world righted itself. As long as the man she loved stood beside her, no matter what the duke or the council threw her way, in the end, she’d be okay.

She took a deep breath, stiffened her spine, and waited.

The duke pointed right at the spear she held. “As long as
we
have Queen Adrina’s spear, don’t you believe
we
should put it to good use?”

Mia took another deep breath.

“Your third and last quest is quite simple, my dear. Straight barbarian brawn, no brains needed at all. All you need do is capture the heart of an ice hydra and return here to the council. I’ve been told, by experts mind you, that the only weapon on Albrath capable of piecing the heart of said beast is the one you hold in your hands.” He sneered. “Isn’t that just wonderfully convenient.”

Then he smiled again, and Mia was glad Talon’s hand was within her own. It was the only thing holding her upright at the moment.

An ice hydra? Really?

A shiver ran straight down her spine, and she shuddered.

Ice hydras were once thought to be only mythical creatures before definitive proof had been found a handful of centuries ago. She’d never personally seen one, of course, and certainly didn’t have any desire for that particular experience.

Ice hydras were huge eight headed monsters with razor sharp teeth. They were bigger and meaner than any dragon or nogard ever born. And not only were they eight-headed and big and mean, but they were also only found in one place. The very last place in all of Albrath Mia would ever wish to go, Vile.

Talon’s grip on her hand tightened, and she squeezed his back as she shook her head. She couldn’t let him speak up for her this time. This was her decision to make, her quest, her future in the balance.

Before he could even begin to open his mouth, she opened hers. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

If they didn’t all die a horrible death while in Vile, he was going to wring her pretty little neck when they got back home.

Talon followed no more than a heartbeat behind Mia as their entire party rode through the portal leading to Alaria, the capitol of the barbarian nation.

How could she have agreed to go to Vile of all places? Didn’t she realize it was a death trap? Few full grown, beefy men traversed the borders of Vile and lived to brag about it. And there certainly hadn’t been any pretty-pretty princesses among their ranks.

Could she be the first? Did he even dare chance to wish? Since he’d promised her he wouldn’t say a word to her family about where the next quest would be taking them, he certainly hoped so.

God Draka, he was a fool in love.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she rode along the path a few steps ahead. Her long cinnamon tresses slapping her sweet ass, her head held high, her spine straight. She sat stiff and proudly regal. Every inch of her screamed
I am a princess, a future queen, do not touch
. But his hands itched with the need to do just that.

Oh, yes, he wanted to touch her and so much more.

He wanted to pull her from her mount and deposit her right in his lap. He wanted to yell at her and rant and rave for the turning of an hourglass while kissing and stroking the soft skin of her neck, her breasts, her belly, and the sweet delights found only between her warm, welcoming thighs. He wanted to slip deep within those folds and claim her as his own for all time. He wanted to make her forget about Vile and quests and the spear and the needs of the ogres and the barbarian throne and honor. He wanted her only to remember him, being loved, being cherished, and being safe.

Talon sighed, dreading the moment they’d arrive in Alaria.

In reality, both King Adan and his son Zander had asked only one thing of him. Keep Princess Amelia Zoe Cassidy Hammerstrike safe, even from herself if need be.

What would his king and his best friend think of what he was contemplating?

Allowing Mia to travel to Vile certainly wasn’t anywhere within the realm of keeping her safe. But then how did one go about telling the stubborn little chit no and making it stick? He’d been in constant contact with her for an entire season and hadn’t yet figured out a way to accomplish that particular task. Still, his king would demand an explanation.

What was he going to say?

Talon was almost glad Zander and Kitrina didn’t have time to make it to Alaria from Halla before Mia and her party would be on their way to Vile. At least he wouldn’t have to face his best friend along with his king and lie straight to their faces. And at least he wouldn’t have to admit to them that he, Talon Starkweather, slayer of men, feared by many, had been brought lower than low by the needs and desires of a mere slip of a girl.

The great hall was filled to overflowing, and all Mia could manage to do was stand and stare with her mouth gaping open. When she’d sent the missive to her family, requesting help restoring Queen Adrina’s spear to its original power, she’d expected Aunt’s Lark and Briar to show up, but she’d certainly not expected this.

Not only was Aunt Lark here, but so was her husband Uncle Sarco and their twin sons Graydon and Gareth, along with a green and black dragon about the same size as Pearl, standing at Gareth’s side.

Not much had been seen of Cousin Gareth since he’d lost his eyesight protecting the then unhatched egg of that very same dragon from the evil Marquart’s dark magic. But then not much had been seen of Graydon either. The first born twin had given up his role as instructor of fire magic at The Academy for the semester in order to help his bother adjust to life without the benefit of sight.

And Aunt Briar, of course, was here.

Mia smiled.

Not only was Aunt Briar here, but she’d also brought Uncle Uthiel and Cousin’s Laura and Tawny with her.

For a moment, Mia dearly missed their daughter, her best friend, Kitrina. Then she chided herself for being so selfish. Even when she’d sent the missive requesting help, she’d known there was no way her brother or his wife would be able to make it in time. Halla was too far away, too many portals to travel through. Just knowing they would’ve been here if there had been any possible way was enough.

But it was the remainder of the people roaming the great hall of the Alarian castle that had truly surprised Mia.

Uncle Leeky and Aunt Laycee, along with Lavender, were in attendance. How the VoT had they arrived from The Academy before she had?

Then there were Cousin’s Ten and Leven with their co-wife Asla and their parents, Aunt Ally and Aunt Audrey along with their father, Uncle Sherman Bobert Limburger the Ninth. She hadn’t seen them for what seemed like years. And if the size of Asla’s belly was any indication, a new half-halfling, half-barbarian member of the family would soon make its entrance into the world.

Even the very famous and rarely seen diplomat’s, Aunt Aryanna and Uncle Cyrrick, along with their daughters, Grace and Virtue, were here.

If the circumstances surrounding this reunion hadn’t been so dire, no amount of trials or tribulations would’ve been able to wipe the smile from Mia’s face. The situation, however, was dire, and time was quickly running out. Not just for Mia, but also for the entire ogre race.

“I’m so sorry, my darling daughter, but it simply can’t be done.”

Mia gaped at her mother in horror. “What do you mean it can’t be done? There must be some way to imbue the ice power back into the spear. Perhaps a spell you’ve forgotten or overlooked?”

She spread her arms wide to encompass all of the women in her mother’s solar who were staring at her with pity on their faces. All her aunts and cousins who’d been casting their magic and chanting their spells for hours on end. Somehow she needed to make them understand exactly how dire the situation was.

“I’ve seen your powers,” she implored. “I know what you’re all capable of when you put your minds to it. You simply must try again, and then again and again and again, if that fails.”

Aunts Lark and Briar hung their heads while Aunts Aryanna, Ally and Audrey simply stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. Even Aunt Laycee looked anywhere except directly at her. And her cousins? To the last one, they averted their eyes, embarrassment coloring their cheeks.

It was as if they’d all given up, not just on renewing the spear but on Mia herself, and it was more than she could bear.

Desperation threatened to close off her throat, and her words came out in no more than a squeak. “You don’t understand. I promised the leaders of the ogre nation you’d be able to fix it. I told them I’d return Queen Adrina’s spear to them good as new. Their entire civilization depends upon the magical tip of pure ice power being made whole and unmeltable once more. It’s the only thing that keeps the molten lava at bay.”

Her mother shook her head. “We simply aren’t powerful enough to imbue that kind of magic back into the spear, my dear. It’s a very old magic, and not one I’m entirely familiar with. Not directly anyway. I can make you more ice daggers, however. And I’d be happy to supply the ogre nation with as many as they need until Queen Adrina’s spear can be mended properly.”

Mia shook her head. “That will take way too many daggers to accomplish the task for very long. It’s an entire volcano of lava this spear keeps solid. You said the magic needed is very old. Then, if not you, to whom can I take Queen Adrina’s gift to have it mended?”

Loud gasps could be heard coming from every corner of the room, but it was Lizbeth Hammerstrike who answered her daughter’s question. “I won’t allow it, and neither will your father. There is only one place in all of Albrath where
that
kind of magic can be found, and you, of all people, certainly aren’t going to go anywhere near there.”

Her mother began to pace. “Only the breath of an ice hydra found deep in the barren outreaches of Vile can breathe new life into the spear once more. Since history tells us it was an ice hydra who gifted the spear to Queen Adrina in the first place. Perhaps when your brother comes home for a visit, he, Talon, and your father can take the spear south and see what can be done. Until then, I’ll make ice daggers, and that’s all there is to it.”

For the first time since being home, Mia was infinitely grateful she hadn’t told her family where her next quest was taking her. She’d even gone so far as to swear Uncle Leeky, Pierced, Wally, and even Talon to silence. She hadn’t wanted to make her family worry unnecessarily.

So instead of arguing or even begging her mother, aunts, and cousins to continue trying, Mia simply nodded her head. What her parents didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. And whatever choices and mistakes she’d make from here on would be her own and no one else’s.

She was almost glad the decision as to whether to go to Vile or not had been taken out of her hands. There really was no choice in the matter.

But one question did remain.

Would she fulfill the dictates of the council and procure the heart of an ice hydra and become the next ruler of the barbarian nation, or would she somehow convince an eight-headed monster to breathe magic back into a very, very old spear and save an entire race of people?

Either way, both paths led only one direction, and that direction was Vile.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Mia followed the winding hallways of The Academy’s underbelly toward Uncle Leeky’s residence with a heavy heart and an equally heavy tray in her hands. The two full to the brim mugs of mulled cider she’d obtained from The Academy’s kitchen threatened to spill over with every corner she maneuvered, but still she didn’t slow down. Time was of the essence, and Mia Hammerstrike was on a little side quest of her own.